The Peninsula Manila reopens Dec 3

The Peninsula Manila Hotel will reopen its doors to guests on Monday, four days after the standoff that saw Magdalo soldiers taking over the posh Makati hotel for almost six hours on Thursday. GMA's Flash Report quoted the hotel's public relations director, Mariano Garchitorena, as saying that displaced guests may return to their respective suites beginning 3 p.m. on December 3. Garchitorena added that those who have placed reservations in their hotel for the weekend will also be accommodated Monday. The report said that the Manila Peninsula management shouldered the expenses incurred by the guests who were forced to check in at nearby hotels in Makati's financial district. Officials of the 31-year-old building were quoted as saying their reputation had not been tarnished by Thursday's standoff. In an earlier radio interview, Garchitorena said that aside from several smashed tables, the military takeover did not cause any other damage inside the building's lobby. "Tables were smashed, a few things. Pero, among anything else, ang importante ay yung tauhan namin at mga guest namin," he said, adding that no personnel or guests were hurt. He also said that the fixtures and equipment that the hotel is famous for remained intact. "[The Jose Abueva painting on the ceiling] is up there and so are the tapestries... [The waterfalls] are running as usual," he said. For his part, Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said he is mulling to have the air inside the hotel lobby checked to ensure that no traces of tear gas fumes are left. Binay also said he will be asking the Finance Department whether the hotel's taxes could be waived. - GMANews.TV